Sonora Pass open again; new storms brewing

Workers on both sides of Sonora Pass cleared ice, snow and debris from the highest reaches of Highway 108 and reopened it before noon Tuesday.

Ebbetts Pass and Highway 4 remained closed between Lake Alpine and Highway 89 due to ice from weekend storm activity, according to Caltrans. Tioga Pass and Highway 120 remained open in Yosemite National Park with no chain restrictions.

Christine Knadler, a maintenance public information officer with Caltrans District 9 in Bishop, urges motorists to be prepared for winter. Travelers should keep chains in their vehicles, as well as blankets, water, food, a shovel, gloves, a flashlight, and sand or kitty litter to provide traction in case a vehicle gets stuck.

Another storm system beginning Wednesday could bring more rain, wind and high elevation snow to the Central Sierra, depending on how far south the system tracks. Winds could gust up to 60 miles per hour on the highest ridges and peaks, and snow levels could come down to pass levels by Friday.

National Weather Service forecasters in Sacramento say a second storm system could follow Sunday into Monday next week.

Contact Guy McCarthy at gmccarthy@uniondemocrat.com or (209) 588-4585. Follow him on Twitter @GuyMcCarthy.